Koala Farms Induction

About Koala Farms:

We are Fresh Choice (trading as Koala Farms) and we are a family-owned business.

We were established in 1990 by Anthony and Diane Staatz

Both Anthony and Diane are involved in the business so don’t be surprised if you see them around or they show up to help the team out.

What we do

We grow, pack and transport fresh produce to our customers around Australia.

Our main products are iceberg lettuce, cos lettuce, broccoli, baby broccoli, baby leaf (spinach and rocket), cauliflower and melons.

Our goal is to provide the best quality products at the lowest production costs.

To do this, you, our employees, our culture, and our processes are important.

Koala Farms Structure

We have the following teams within our business:

·         Farm Production

·         Nursery Operations

·         Packing Shed Operations

·         Asset Maintenance

·         Administration

with the following teams rotating around our farms for each season:

·         Planting

·         Harvesting

·         Baby Leaf

·         Logistics

Our company structure is simple and based on our “Teamwork” value.  While you may be allocated to work in a certain team, don’t be surprised if you are asked to help another team out.  We all pitch in to help each other get the job done.

Our Farms

We operate year-round and rotate between our summer and winter seasons.  For the summer season (October to May) we are in full production on our farms in:

·         Bathurst, NSW

·         Worrah, QLD

·         Backplains, QLD

In the winter season (April through to November) we are in full production on our home farm in Lake Clarendon, QLD.

Each of our farms has ideal climatic conditions with plenty of freshwater and uncontaminated fertile soil.  This allows us to consistently supply quality produce to our customers.

Each of our farms has a Farm Manager and his production team.  They are ultimately responsible for growing our produce to meet our customer demands.

Manager/Crew Leader – Role and Responsibility

• Your position will report to a Crew Leader or Manager.  Your Crew Leader or Manager is held accountable for:

  ·         Ensuring the job they have been assigned is completed to the best possible standard, at the highest possible quality as efficiently as possible.

  ·         Managing their team by assigning daily jobs, developing employees, coaching and mentoring employees and performance managing employees.

  ·         Role modelling the behaviors we expect of our leaders to lead the type of culture we expect across the business

  ·         Offer support to other teams and make decisions in the best interest of the business.

How You Are Employed:

We have our own Enterprise Agreement call the Koala Farms Enterprise Agreement 2023.  Our Enterprise Agreement provides the basis for how you are employed.  In addition to this we also ensure your terms and conditions of employment comply with the:

•      The Fair Work Act

•      National Employment Standards

•      Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011

•      Age Discrimination Act 2004

•      Disability Discrimination Act 1192

•      Racial Discrimination Act 1975

•      Sex Discrimination Act 1984

•      Privacy Act (Cth) 1988

In addition to this, we annually review the Horticulture Award and ensure our employees are paid better than what the Horticulture Award provides.

Hours of Work:

To be successful in this role, you need to know that its typical in our industry that there are early morning starts and a requirement to work some weekends.

We try to ensure that you at least have two days off each week.

We also try to ensure that you average around 40 hours of work each week.

In our industry there is always work to do.  If you are looking for more hours, please talk to your Crew Leader/Manager.

During the summer, we may start work earlier, when the sun comes up, however we will usually finish earlier before it gets too hot.

During the winter, we start a little later and finish a little later.

Sometimes, with outdoor work, workdays/hours can be impacted by bad weather which may mean we may have to work a few big days to catch up on the work missed.

Clocking On and Off – Weekly Hours:

•      When you arrive at work you will need to clock on and when you finish work you will need to clock off.

•      Our expectation when you clock on at work is that you are ready to start work. The same applies when you finish work – once you have completed all your work tasks, you clock off.

•      You will be paid for a 20-minute morning tea break and an unpaid 30-minute lunch break.  If you are working a long day, your supervisor might allow another 20-minute paid break in the afternoon.

•      Our pay periods are from Wednesday to Tuesday.  On Wednesday morning you will be provided with your weekly time clock report via your email address.  It is your responsibility to review this report and notify your Crew Leader/Manager if there are any changes that need to be made.  It is your responsibility to ensure your clock on and off times are correct so that we can pay you correctly.

Pay Details:

You are employed by Trustee for Anthony Staatz Family Trust which is part of Koala Farms.  You will be paid direct credit to your chosen bank account.

We also pay your superannuation as per Government legislation.

Our payroll system is called Aurion.  You can download the Aurion app and view all your employment pay details there including your pay slips.  You can also populate Aurion with your emergency contacts and update bank details etc…

Pays are processed on Thursday and usually, depending on your bank, your pay is in your bank account on Thursday evening.

Aurion Pay System:

Your pay is processed through Aurion our payroll system.  You will be asked to download the Aurion Self Service App. 

Through the Aurion App you will be able to review everything in relation to your pay including pay slips and being able to apply for time off.

If you have any questions about your pay, you should talk with your Crew Leader or email HR@koalafarms.com.au.

Taking Time Off:

We all need to take time off from work.  If this is the case, then you need to provide 1 weeks’ notice by talking with your Crew Leader/ Manager and applying to take time off through Aurion.

If you have an accident outside of work or are suddenly sick, you need to notify your Crew Leader/Manager immediately and apply for leave through Aurion.

If you have an accident at work and injure yourself, you need to notify your Crew Leader/Manager as soon as possible.

For any accidents at work, we have very clear processes that must be followed, and they start by notifying your Crew Leader/Manager immediately. 

You will not be punished if you are injured at work. It is our goal to help you recover and to return to work as soon as possible.

What to Expect – First Day:

On your first day, you will be introduced to your Team Leader.  Your Team Leader will go through a check list induction to include:

·         Start times and transportation

·         How to clock on

·         Weekly hours report

·         Toilet and freshwater locations

·         Designated rest and eating locations

·         Designated smoking areas

·         Traffic management in your work area

·         Food safety and hygiene

·         Disposing of rubbish

·         Safety and risks in your work area

·         Emergencies and meeting areas

·         Incidents and injury reporting

·         How to do your job – training

·         Introduction to your team

·         Check-ins – are you okay.

Your Feedback is Important:

We value our employee feedback and are always looking for ways to improve our employee experience at Koala Farms.

If you want to provide feedback, please email to HR@koalafarms.com.au.

We also have suggestion boxes on each of farms that are checked daily – please feel free to make suggestions.

If you have serious feedback of a sensitive nature, you are welcome to talk with HR or to email complaints@koalafarms.com.au which will go directly to Anthony.

If you want to make an anonymous complaint, then please use our suggestion boxes.  All suggestion boxes are in areas that are not covered by our security cameras.